You probably remember the 8 Passengers. They were the poster family for wholesome, strict, and highly polished Mormon life on YouTube. Then, in late 2023, the world watched in horror as the "momfluencer" mask slipped, revealing a nightmare of starvation, duct tape, and religious extremism.
The internet has been buzzing with questions about the various specials and docuseries popping up. People want to know the "why" and "how," but mostly, they want to know what is the ruby franke documentary on and where they can actually sit down to watch the footage that wasn't edited for a YouTube audience.
The Big One: Devil in the Family on Hulu
If you're looking for the definitive, deep-dive series that everyone is talking about in early 2026, it is Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. This three-part docuseries premiered on Hulu (and is streaming on Disney+ internationally) in February 2025. It is essentially the "gold standard" for this case because the filmmakers got the one thing no one else had: the family.
For the first time, Ruby’s eldest daughter, Shari Franke, and her son, Chad, sat down for lengthy, raw interviews. They don't hold back. You see a family that was already fracturing long before the handcuffs came out.
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The documentary uses over a thousand hours of "unseen rushes"—basically the raw, unedited footage from the 8 Passengers' heyday. It’s haunting to see the "perfect" mom snap at her kids the second the record button is off. The series also features Kevin Franke, Ruby’s ex-husband, trying to explain his own absence and eventual realization of the horror his children were living through.
Netflix Enters the Fray: Evil Influencer
As of December 30, 2025, Netflix released its own heavy hitter titled Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story. While the Hulu series focuses heavily on the Franke family's internal collapse, this Netflix special pivots to the "puppet master" herself: Jodi Hildebrandt.
Directed by Skye Borgman—the same mind behind Abducted in Plain Sight—this documentary is arguably darker. It explores Jodi’s history as a "rogue therapist" and how she used her ConneXions program to isolate families. If you want to understand the psychological mechanics of how a successful woman like Ruby Franke could be convinced her children were "demonically possessed," this is the one to watch.
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Other Places to Watch the Investigation
Maybe you don’t have a Hulu or Netflix subscription. Or maybe you want the "just the facts" version without the cinematic music. There are a few other options that have been out for a while:
- 20/20 on ABC/Hulu: Titled "Ruby Franke: From Momfluencer to Felon," this is a classic news-magazine style report. It’s shorter and focuses heavily on the bodycam footage of the day the 12-year-old escaped to a neighbor’s house.
- Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence on Max: This series hit HBO Max in mid-2025. It’s a bit more sensationalized but offers some unique interviews with former ConneXions employees who saw the red flags years ago.
- Law&Crime Network: Their YouTube channel has a multi-part "Prime Crime" special that is free. It’s basically a compilation of the most damning courtroom moments and police interrogation tapes.
Why the Documentary Evidence is So Chilling
Honestly, the most disturbing part of these documentaries isn't the talking heads. It’s the evidence the police found in Jodi Hildebrandt’s Ivins, Utah, home.
The documentaries show snippets of Ruby’s handwritten journals. They aren't just "strict parenting" notes. They are a record of a woman who had completely lost her grip on reality. She wrote about her children as if they were soldiers in a spiritual war, justifying the withholding of food and water as "acts of love" to help them repent.
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Seeing the contrast between the 2017 vlogs—where they are winning awards and making $100,000 a month—and the 2023 police photos of the "safe room" is enough to make anyone rethink the ethics of family vlogging.
What Actually Happened to the Family?
The story didn't end when the cameras stopped rolling for the documentaries. As of 2026, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are both serving their sentences in the Utah State Prison. They each received four consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years. Due to Utah law, the maximum they can serve is 30 years.
Kevin and Ruby’s divorce was finalized in early 2025. Kevin has full custody of the four minor children, and Shari has become a massive advocate against the exploitation of children on social media. She even released a memoir, The House of My Mother, which provides even more context for what the documentaries couldn't capture.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you're planning to binge these, keep a few things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch Hulu First: If you want the emotional core and the children's perspective, start with Devil in the Family. It’s the most humanizing.
- Use Netflix for Context: Watch Evil Influencer if you’re confused about how a licensed therapist was allowed to operate like a cult leader for so long.
- Check the Primary Sources: Most of these documentaries mention the "Utah vs. Franke" public records. If you're a true crime buff, you can actually look up the redacted police reports online to see the evidence for yourself.
- Support Ethical Content: This case has triggered a huge move in 2025 and 2026 toward "Coppa" laws and child-influencer protections. If you're a fan of family vlogs, consider the "behind the scenes" reality shown in these docs before hitting "subscribe."
The Ruby Franke case isn't just a "crazy story." It’s a massive warning sign about the intersection of social media fame, unregulated therapy, and religious extremism. Whether you watch on Hulu, Netflix, or Max, the message is the same: the camera only sees what the person holding it wants you to see.